Icelandic Circle Escorted Vacation

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Reykjavik. Spend the rest of the evening exploring Iceland’s capital or ask your guide for dinner suggestions! Overnight in Reykjavik.

You’ll meet your guide and leave Reykjavik to travel west along the scenic Hvalfjordur fjord to the town of Borgarnes. A 40-minute round trip hike takes you to the rim of Grabrok volcano crater, formed around 3,400 years ago. For anyone interested in geology, this is a must-see. The crater is in the middle of a vast lava filed and from the top, you have superb views of the beautiful landscape. In the afternoon, visit a natural history & seal museum in a small fishing village in Northwest Iceland and stroll around the local harbor. Further north, stop at the turf church of Vidimyri which has been extensively restored to its original form and is widely considered one of the purest and most beautiful examples of traditional Icelandic architecture. Continue along scenic fjord landscape and over several mountain passes until you reach Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. Overnight in Akureyri. (B)

In the morning, explore Akureyri, a charming town of 17,000 inhabitants, visit the botanical garden and enjoy the panoramic view over Eyjafjordur fjord. In the afternoon, travel to a prominent spot in Iceland’s history, Godafoss, the waterfalls of the Gods. Continue to Lake Myvatn which is known for its geological wonders and active bird life during the summer. The lake’s unique features are shaped by nature – strange lava formations, every shape of volcanic crater, beautiful bays filled with thousands of birds and ducks. You will stop at the bizarre lava formations at Kalfastrond followed by a walk around the many pseudocraters. Stroll through the mysterious lava field of Dimmuborgir, see the tephra cone Hverfjall and end an exciting day with a relaxing soak at Myvatn Nature Baths, containing a unique blend of minerals, silicates and geothermal micro-organisms. The warm, soothing waters benefit both skin and spirit alike. Overnight in Myvatn. (B)

In the morning, hike in a lava labyrinth at Dimmuborgir, “the dark castles.” After an optional lunch, visit the hot spring area of Namaskard with bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras. Head through the uninhabited highlands and moon-like surroundings to East Iceland. With some luck, you might spot an Arctic fox or a herd of reindeer. Overnight in Egilsstadir. (B)

Today is a day to admire the dramatic fjord landscape and its tiny fishing villages at the end of twisting roads in the East Fjords. En route, you will visit Petra’s impressive stone and mineral collection. In the afternoon you will see Vatnajokull – Europe’s biggest glacier that is visible all over Southeast Iceland. Past the town of Hofn, stop at Jokulsarlon, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs, to explore the extraordinary site and perhaps spot some seals swimming in the arctic waters. Continue along the southern part of the glacier Vatnajokull and spend some time at Europe’s second largest national park, which has Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment and Europe’s largest glacier. Overnight in Hofn. (B)

A beautiful drive with many natural wonders awaits you as you head across the Eldhraun lava field, cross the sandy desert of the south coast, overlooked by rugged cliffs, glaciers and waterfalls. The world-famous Reynisfjara shore, near the village of Vik, is widely regarded as the most impressive black sand and pebble beach in Iceland and features an amazing cliff of regular basalt columnsm, resembling a rocky step pyramid. Out in the sea are the spectacularly shaped basalt sea stacks, Reynisdrangar. In the small village of Skogar, there is Skogafoss waterfall, 62 meters high and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. Continue to the 65-meter-high, but narrow, Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges over the mountainside. There is an interesting trail that goes behind the fall – if you’re prepared to get a little wet! Further west, stop at the Lava & Volcano Information Center in Hvolsvollur and learn about geothermal activities in Iceland. Overnight in Fludir. (B)

Explore the classics today as you travel the Golden Circle route. Start the day at Fridheimar where you learn about the Icelandic horse, its unique qualities and history and also visit a geothermal greenhouse. Later on, watch as steam rise from the Geysir geothermal fields as you arrive, witnessing a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser is now dormant, but has been replaced by Strokkur, “The Churn,” which erupts every 5-10 minutes. Continue to Gullfoss, “the golden falls,” a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvita River. Venture inland to Pingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an area of exceptional geological and historical interest. The Pingvellir area is part of a fissure zone running through Iceland, situated on the tectonic plate boundaries of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The faluts and fissures make evident the rifting of the earth’s crust. As you return to Reykjavik, take a short city tour to see the highlights of the world’s northernmost capital. Overnight in Reykjavik. (B)

You will be transferred from your hotel to Reykjavik airport for your return flight home. (B)